More than 22,000 Community Members are Participating in The Indianapolis Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program.

There is still time for readers of all ages to register for The Indianapolis Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading Program, which continues through Saturday, August 2, at all Indianapolis Public Library locations.

As of July 1, 17,864 kids are actively participating by logging reading time. In addition, 4,286 adults are participating in Adult Summer Reading. The Indianapolis community as a whole has read a total of 13,898,141 minutes, keeping The Indianapolis Public Library on track to meet its community reading goal of 20 million minutes read by the end of the summer.

Via surveys taken at Library branch locations, participants have shared meaningful ways the program has benefited them.

“One parent noted that having a program for adults also positively impacts her child, saying, it helps them be involved as their children complete the program. The parent noted that it is good for them to see that reading is important, no matter how old you are,” said Devery North, school-age and family program specialist at The Indianapolis Public Library. “Another participant shared that the program motivated her to delete some social media apps and replace that screen time with reading, making reading a nightly habit before bed.”

This year, the Library is partnering with Project Play, Inc., a nonprofit that collects new and gently used toys and books to support learning through play in every household. Thanks to our generous community, over 700 books have been donated to Project Play.

Throughout the summer, workshops and programs provide participants with opportunities to connect with peers and explore new interests. As of July 1, more than 4,130 people have attended a summer program or workshop, with more opportunities throughout the summer.

“We're receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback for our summer programs,” said North. “Our animal programs are always a hit, but we've also seen a fantastic response to our Build It sessions, where participants learn basic woodworking skills, and the Junior Paleontology program, where participants explore Indiana’s geologic history. On the adult side, the Paleoart Printmaking Experience has sparked a lot of excitement and creativity.”

The Summer Reading Program allows participants to receive prizes for their reading activity. Prizes are awarded at 1 hour, 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, and 20 hours of reading. Youth prizes include passes to the Children’s Museum Haunted House, the Indiana State Museum, an Indianapolis Indians baseball game, an IU Indy basketball game, books, dino stuffies, and more. Adult prizes include mugs, stickers, stress balls, travel first-aid kits, fidget highlighters, and planters. Prizes can be claimed until August 2.

All readers who log their time will be eligible for grand prizes at the end of the summer if the total reading time across all age groups in the Summer Reading Program reaches 20 million minutes.

Grand prizes for adults include a Kan-Kan Membership, a 10-day pass to North Mass Boulder, an annual pass to Eagle Creek Park, gift cards for bowling at Pins Mechanical and Royal Pin, and more. Youth grand prizes will include Amazon gift cards, a Nintendo Switch, play kitchens, and an Indiana529 Direct Savings Plan.

The Summer Reading Program is presented by Friends of the Library through generous gifts to The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation. Major sponsors include Forvis Mazars, The Indianapolis Foundation Library Fund, Indianapolis Indians Charities, Lilly Endowment Inc., William McNiece, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, Dr. Betty Routledge, Mary Frances Rubly & Jerry Hummer, Alice and Robert Schloss, and The Indianapolis Public Library Foundation Board of Directors. Supporting sponsors include Citizens Energy Group, Michaela Graham and Scott Brody, Indiana529, Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr. Memorial Foundation, Inc., Office of the Lawrence Township Trustee Steve Talley, and OneAmerica® Financial.

Visit our summer reading program page for more information.

Media Contact: Keshia McEntire, Public Relations Manager, kmcentire@indypl.org